Crappie

If you're after crappie near Jamestown, Missouri, your best bet is to explore the many smaller lakes and ponds in the region, as well as the backwaters and slower-moving sections of the Lamine River. These waters offer the shallow, brushy habitat that crappie love. Spring is peak season, as crappie move into shallow water to spawn. Target brush piles, submerged timber, and creek channels with minnows or small jigs suspended under a bobber. Summer crappie often move deeper, so try fishing around submerged structure in 10-15 feet of water. Fall can also be productive as crappie school up before winter. A local tip: many anglers have success spider-rigging multiple poles with different colored jigs to see what the crappie are biting on. Public access to the Lamine River is available at several points, but many smaller lakes are private; always obtain permission before fishing. Check local bait shops for updated information on water levels and crappie activity.